FREY Dopamine 2.0 launched as new high-performance electric mountain bike with throttle
FREY is one of the biggest players in the game when it comes to high-power electric mountain bikes. Now, the company is making waves with its newest model, the FREY Dopamine 2.0.
The e-bike was just unveiled today and offers an update to the company’s innovative high-performance ride.
The full-suspension electric mountain bike includes both an upper and lower idler pulley in the pedal drivetrain, eliminating pedal kickback and offering a smoother pedaling experience. Combined with the high-pivot suspension using a RockShox Deluxe 205*65mm rear shock and RockShox YARI 29*160mm front fork, the bike should be able to handle some serious trails.
But of course FREY bikes aren’t just designed for cruising downhill. They’re known as some of the highest-power electric mountain bikes in the game, and the Dopamine 2.0 doesn’t disappoint. The Bafang M560 mid-drive motor may carry a 500W designation on the spec sheet, but that relatively modest continuous power rating is betrayed by the stump-pulling 140 Nm torque rating, meaning hill climbs can just about tackle terrain steep enough to run into traction issues before power issues.
With a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), it can make quick work of the flats, too.
Carrying that power is a chain-driving SRAM NX11s drivetrain, giving riders plenty of gear ratios to choose from. And the FREY Dopamine carries one more trick up its sleeve, too.
If you’ve followed electric mountain bikes for any amount of time, you’ll know that one feature is as rare as hen’s teeth: a throttle. In addition to offering high value with factory direct supply, one of FREY’s biggest differentiators is that the company offers higher power motors that come complete with throttles installed.
They’re removable for riders who want to maintain a pure pedal-assist experience, but many US riders enjoy the type of riding experience made possible by the high-power setup that comes on at the push of a throttle.
As the company explained:
“The FREY dopamine is a high-performance full-suspension e-MTB with an electric throttle designed specifically for aggressive and comfortable trail riding. It is and enduro electric assist bike capable of easily and quickly ascending and comfotably descending slopes.”
The FREY Dopamine 2.0 sports a 48V 15Ah battery for 720Wh of capacity. Rounding out the hardware on the bike are Magura MT5e quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes, a KS 900i dropper seat post, a display integrated into the frame’s top tube, Michelin and Maxxis tire options in 29 and 27.5 inch sizes.
The bike is available in three frame sizes and is priced at US $4,980 as part of its launch pricing. The first bikes will begin shipping in mid-April using a mixed distribution model, shipping both factory-direct and maintaining local warehouses in the US and several other countries.
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Environment
Sunreef Yachts introduces Solar Skin 3.0 cell with AI optimization for marine electrification
Cutting-edge yacht and electric catamaran designer Sunreef Yachts has unveiled its latest generation of solar skin technology. The silicon solar cells, designed in-house by Sunreef, are now more efficient, durable, and bolstered by AI optimization. As such, Sunreef is calling its Solar Skin 3.0 technology a “visionary leap toward the future of yachting.”
Sunreef Yachts has been operating out of Gdansk, Poland, for over 20 years alongside a newer footprint established in the United Arab Emirates. From day one, the boatbuilder has been pushing the boundaries of sustainable marine travel, launching the world’s first 74-foot luxury oceangoing catamaran with a flybridge.
Today, Sunreef remains one of the more exciting marine electrification specialists we cover here at Electrek, as we’ve watched its portfolio of eco-friendly sailboats and massive solar electric catamarans ranging from 60 to 100 meters in length grow.
In addition to new and ultra-luxe yachts that can go farther than ever on batteries and the sun’s power alone, Sunreef continues to push the boundaries of our planet’s waters with fully sustainable boat materials and its proprietary solar system technology.
We’ve already seen two previous generations of Sunreef’s silicon cells. Until today’s news, its Solar Skin 2.0 was already celebrated for its top efficiency and thermal stability on the water. Those cells can operate at temperatures above 100℃ (212℉) and withstand over 20,000 load cycles without cracking.
Today, Sunreef Yachts announced that it has taken its solar cell innovation even further, unveiling its Solar Skin 3.0 technology. This technology has been further optimized to improve efficiency, resulting in more range at sea.
Sunreef offers top efficiency with its new solar system
Per Sunreef, Solar Skin 3.0 picks up where its previous cell generation left off, delivering similar cycle durability and thermal resistance but with a more refined and efficient design that can further reduce marine vessels’ carbon emissions.
Sunreef states that its third-generation system has achieved the maximum efficiency for silicon cells. It now features smart panels designed using AI and real-time data to dynamically adjust output and avoid shade from the mast and sails. Company CTO Nicolas Lapp broke it all down nicely:
The latest generation of our solar skin technology offers top efficiency—currently the highest attainable for silicon cells—marking a major milestone in marine solar innovation. Leveraging machine learning algorithms and real-time data from Sunreef catamarans operating in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Dubai, we are able to continuously refine panel placement and optimize energy yield. Fully developed and produced in-house, each panel functions as a smart unit, dynamically adjusting its electrical output to mitigate shading effects from sails and superstructure, significantly boosting system efficiency even during winter months.
In addition to the solar system 3.0 technology, Sunreef said it had added next-generation photovoltaic cells to the bimini areas of its catamarans, designed specifically to optimize energy retrieval from shaded environments. This can help deliver enhanced solar energy generation in “less-than-ideal lighting conditions.”
Future Sunreef owners can use the 3.0 system’s intelligent yield optimization, which utilizes advanced algorithms to adjust electrical outputs in real time, particularly when navigating areas affected by excessive shade.
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Tesla has launched its latest over-the-air software update called ‘Spring Update’. While the automaker regularly releases smaller updates, it sometimes bundles many features into the same update for a bigger release, like this one.
It’s important to note that while it’s a significant update as a whole, many of these features are specific to certain vehicles and regions. Therefore, most Tesla owners won’t get most of those features.
Adaptive Headlights Now Available in US and Canada
This is something that has been available in Europe for a while, but now Tesla is introducing it in its latest vehicles in North America:
High beams adapt to reduce glare for other drivers and cyclists. By detecting other road users, and selectively dimming individual pixels of the headlight, your high beams stay on more often for greater visibility at night.
If your Tesla is equipped with the necessary hardware (matrix headlights), you’ll now see the toggle under Controls > Lights > Adaptive Headlights.
Blind Spot Camera Moves to Driver Screen (Model S/X)
The headline is pretty self-explanatory, and it looks like this on your driver display:
Controls > Display > Automatic Blind Spot Camera & select Driver Screen
This is only for the refreshed Model S/X (2021-2025).
Dashcam/Sentry Mode Upgrade: More Cameras, Better Viewer
For newer Model S, 3, X, and Y vehicles, Tesla is now including side camera (B-pillar) footage in Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings, increasing the total recorded camera angles from four to six. Alongside that, the Dashcam Viewer app has been redesigned with a grid layout and quick-swipe video review tools.
This has been a highly requested feature by Tesla owners, especially more recently amid increased occurrences of vandalism against Tesla vehicles.
Smarter Road Trips: Alternative Trip Plans
Tesla’s Trip Planner has become more useful with now clearer choices for multiple routing styles:
- Fastest: minimize travel time
- Best Amenities: prioritize charging stops near top-rated restaurants, shops, and restrooms
- Fewer Stops: reduce the number of charging stops
Nearby attractions are also listed when viewing a Supercharger location.
Cybertruck-Specific Updates
The Cybertruck gains a pair of Autopilot-related upgrades:
- Comfort Drive Mode: now auto-engages when Autopilot is active
- Lane Departure Avoidance Assist: no longer just a warning—now it can also gently steer to keep you in your lane
When Tesla started delivering the Cybertruck in late 2023, the software was far from completed, especially when it comes to Tesla’s advanced driver assist features.
The automaker has been gradually releasing updates to bring those features to the electric pickup truck.
Other Notable Features
- Avoid Highways toggle added to Controls > Navigation
- Keep Accessory Power On: lets you continue using USB ports and phone chargers after exiting the car, as long as battery level is above 20%
- Keyboard Language Switching now supported on-screen
- Enhanced media experience, including:
- Filtered search by source
- Shuffle for Apple Music playlists with more than 100 songs
- Improved SiriusXM navigation
- Amazon Music Free sign-in support
- “Up Next” view in YouTube Music
- Auto hotspot connection when driving
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